ecently we received notification that we were an award winner in the Purple Dragonfly contest sponsored by Story Monsters Ink.  This was a nice surprise. We are not a grand prize winner but Paula's incredible illustrations were recognized in the categories of Best Illustrations and Best Picture Book for 5 & Younger.  Paula has an artistic gift, no doubt, but she has so much more. She loves to share her talents and does so with grace and a humble attitude.  Every summer for as long as I can recall she teaches art in her home to children of all ages.  They come back year after year, and, when they age out they want to come back and help teach.  I am sure that we will one day soon see someone who started with Miss Paula become "famous."  

Paula recently finished illustrating her second book - a book about boy scouts that will be available soon. She did a series of water color illustrations that are truly magnificent.

We are thinking about our next book.  With the current situation in the world and in our lives we are at the "thinking" stage!

During these unusual and unprecedented times  I have seen industries, especially the book industry, take on the challenge of re-thinking and re-designing how we promote written materials.   Story Monsters Ink is a prime example.  Story Monsters is a literary resource for teachers and librarians that provides  marketing solutions for authors and publishers. I have just started exploring all that they have to offer since the events in my pipeline, the Book Expo in NYC and my marketing consultant, are both out of the picture.   I was contacted by Patti Crane, Project Manager for Story Monsters, to see if I had any materials or activities that would supplement my book.   Yes, I do.  Check out these fun options to interact with WHEN EVA HOLLERS and other fabulous children's literature:

Story Monsters At Home

Eva reads WHEN EVA HOLLERS

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This week I had the pleasure of reading WHEN EVA HOLLERS to a delightful group of Junior Kindergarten students at St. Luke School.  The class is Taylor's, a young lady that I taught in middle school!  In the class was Sills, the son of a former employee of mine. It really is a small world!  The kids loved the book and I loved reading it to them.  It was great to see children interact with the pages and try to find Bun Bun on each page!  As I read they got closer and closer....never wanting to miss a page or a word!  I am looking forward to more chances to read to children!

One of the things that authors do is submit their books to independent book reviewers for comments and a review.   Readers' Favorite is a site that many first-time authors use to get honest feedback.  We got reviewed and received 5 Stars!

When Eva Hollers is written by Brinkley Burks Pound and illustrated by Paula Ingram Kiszla and B. Matthew Kiszla. Eva sometimes gets upset and hollers for different reasons. When Eva hollers, her family finds different things to do that will settle Eva down. Eva might want to have a treat, play a game or even be cuddled. She may be interested in hearing wildlife chatter or seeing animals at the zoo. There’s no telling what Eva will want or need but her family will be there to keep her as happy as she can be. Sometimes figuring out why a child might cry may not be easy but with a little effort and teamwork, Eva can easily be entertained and cared for.

I love the picture book When Eva Hollers by Brinkley Burks Pound. The story revolves around a family trying to figure out why Eva is crying and what they can do to make her happy. I love how Pound encourages family playtime while finding creative ways to explore why a child might be crying. The illustrations are absolutely adorable as they tell the story through pictures. When Eva Hollers is a book that any child will enjoy having read to them while they follow along with the pictures until they are able to read it by themselves. The collaboration between Burks and the Kiszlas has turned out an amazing picture book that will keep the attention of adults and children alike. I recommend When Eva Hollers to anyone with children who are ready to learn to read or are already of reading age.

- Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite

These past several weeks have been a whirlwind of fun.  So many of you purchased books, wrote reviews on Amazon and sent us pictures of loved ones reading WHEN EVA HOLLERS!   I've been working on the web page to add content to Beyond the Book links. It has been such fun to add extensions to the story and use my love for teaching and sharing to make the book more interactive. Click the link above and check out the results.  

We've started working on our media kit and I am taking lots of "classes" on doing interviews, participating in book festivals, using Amazon,  and generally promoting the book.  I truly do not like to have my picture taken - I will holler!  But, we need to have our photos for promotional materials.  I'll post updates here once the pictures are done later this month.  We will have a launch party both in Mobile and Columbus later in the year. Make sure to like us on Facebook to keep up with the details!

Here's to an wonderful start of the new year!

For our 30th anniversary Jim and I made buckets lists for the next thirty years.  My list included riding the Rails to Trails Hall of Fame trails, being on an episode of Law & Order, entering a photography contest, several trips to fun places,  and publishing a book.  My first attempt was a children's book on eco-transportation which I titled, A Bee Followed Me.  As with all good stories it started with a real event.  For hours, while cruising the Port St. Joe Bay, a bee followed our boat. It stayed with us as we puttered around  and finally flew off when we dropped the prop in the middle of bay!  Soon after,  I spent hours at the library researching transportation and trying to find a delightful way to present alternative transportation from the point of view of a bee.  I lost interest.   My second attempt was a book about Gracie, our beagle and, Lucy, a broken-wing Canada goose.  I wrote several scenarios but nothing seemed to be engaging enough to make a good book. Both Gracie and the goose are still around and are ever the source of entertainment. I am sure there is a story there.  But then, in August of 2016 we welcomed Eva Barbara Pound into the world and a story was born.  This book may be the first of many of Eva's adventures or not.